Can Diabetes Cause Hair Loss?

Diabetes is well known for affecting the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves, but many people do not realize it can also influence hair health. High or low insulin levels, poor blood flow, hormonal changes, and stress can all interfere with the natural hair growth cycle. As a result, people with diabetes may experience thinning hair, patterned hair loss, or patchy hair loss. The good news is that with proper treatment and blood sugar management, hair often regrows.

This article explains how diabetes causes hair loss, what it looks like, and what you can do to support healthy hair regrowth.

How Diabetes Affects the Body

In diabetes, the body either does not make insulin or does not use it effectively, or both. Insulin moves sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. When insulin is lacking or ineffective, blood sugar builds up. Over time, this excess sugar damages organs and tissues, including blood vessels.

Blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. When vessels become damaged, they cannot deliver enough oxygen to hair follicles. Poorly nourished follicles weaken, and this can interfere with the normal hair growth cycle.

How Diabetes Causes Hair Loss

Diabetes can contribute to hair loss in several ways, and these effects may appear on the scalp as well as on the legs and other areas of the body.

Poor Blood Flow to the Scalp

High blood sugar gradually damages both large and small blood vessels. The tiny vessels that supply the scalp are especially vulnerable. When these vessels cannot deliver enough oxygen or nutrients, the hair follicles become stressed and may stop producing hair effectively. This leads to thinning hair and slower regrowth.

Hormone Changes and Insulin Resistance

People with type 2 diabetes often develop insulin resistance. As the body struggles to use insulin, it produces more of it. Elevated insulin levels can influence hormonal pathways linked to hair health. Research shows that people with insulin resistance are more likely to experience androgenic alopecia, a form of patterned hair loss.

Changes in the Hair Growth Cycle

Hair grows in a cycle that includes a long active growth phase, a short transition phase, and a resting phase. Insulin plays a vital role in supporting this cycle. When insulin levels are very low, as in type 1 diabetes, hair may move prematurely into the resting phase. This shortens the active growth period and leads to overall thinning and slower regrowth.

Physical Stress and Sudden Illness

Some individuals are diagnosed with diabetes only after their blood sugar rises to very high levels and causes serious symptoms. Sudden illness or physical stress can trigger telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair loss. More follicles than usual shift into the resting phase, causing diffuse thinning. Hair usually grows back, but recovery can take several months.

Other Related Medical Conditions

People with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of developing other autoimmune conditions. These include:

• Alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss
• Autoimmune thyroid disease, which can disrupt the hair cycle

Both conditions can contribute to hair thinning or bald spots.

What Hair Loss From Diabetes Looks Like

Hair loss related to diabetes can appear in several forms. Common patterns include:

Patterned Hair Loss

Also called androgenic alopecia.
In men, thinning begins at the front or sides of the scalp.
In women, thinning often starts at the crown.

Patchy Hair Loss

Hair falls out in round or irregular patches.
This is common in autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata.

General Hair Thinning

Hair density decreases evenly across the scalp.
This pattern is often linked to stress or metabolic changes affecting the hair growth cycle.

Can Hair Loss From Diabetes Improve?

Yes. Many cases of diabetes related hair loss can improve with treatment. Research shows that treating insulin resistance with medications such as tirzepatide can support hair regrowth. Case reports also show that starting insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes may reverse hair loss.

Better blood sugar control helps restore healthy blood flow, reduce inflammation, and allow hair follicles to recover.

Tips for Improving Hair Growth With Diabetes

Begin or Optimize Diabetes Treatment

Managing blood sugar is essential. When glucose levels become more stable, the hair follicles receive better circulation and oxygen. This supports healthier hair growth over time.

Use Proven Hair Loss Treatments

Dermatologists often recommend treatments such as:

• Minoxidil
• Finasteride for people assigned male at birth
• Topical or oral medications for autoimmune-related hair loss

These treatments help slow shedding and encourage regrowth.

Choose the Right Shampoo

To support scalp health, avoid shampoos containing harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde or DMDM hydantoin. Shampoos with pyrithione zinc or selenium sulfide may help reduce dandruff and improve scalp condition.

Try Natural Remedies

Some people prefer natural options. While evidence is limited, certain ingredients are commonly used for their potential benefits:

• Rosemary oil
• Caffeine-based products
• Melatonin topical solutions

These are generally safe to try alongside medical treatments.

Monitor Biotin Levels

People with diabetes may have lower biotin levels. Biotin-rich foods include eggs, nuts, sweet potatoes, onions, and oats. Supplements may help in cases of deficiency, but doses should be discussed with a doctor.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and enhances circulation. This increased blood flow helps deliver oxygen to the scalp.

Good exercise choices include:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Yoga
• Weightlifting
• Calisthenics

Checking blood sugar before and after workouts is essential to prevent highs or lows.

Use Wigs or Hairpieces if Needed

These can provide temporary cosmetic support during periods of significant hair loss.

When to See a Doctor

Hair loss can have many causes, so a medical evaluation is essential. In particular, hair loss on the legs may signal peripheral artery disease, a complication of diabetes. You should contact your doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Rapid or sudden hair loss
• Patchy bald spots
• Hair loss on the legs
• Worsening blood sugar control

A doctor can check for thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, vitamin deficiencies, or side effects from medications.

The Bottom Line

Diabetes can cause hair loss through several pathways, including poor blood flow, insulin-related hormonal changes, stress, thyroid issues, and autoimmune reactions. Although this can be distressing, many people experience improvement when blood sugar levels stabilize and appropriate treatments are used.

Managing diabetes, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and working with healthcare professionals can support hair growth over time. With the right approach, hair loss related to diabetes can often be improved or even reversed.